Separate from the government, outside the police, beyond the United Nations: Torchwood sets its own rules.

With fearsome new aliens, compelling new storylines, and amazing guest stars the second series will take the close-knit Torchwood team through dare-devil action, temptation, heartache... and a life changing event for one of the team.

It attracted an audience of 2.4 million viewers for the broadcast of its first two episodes - securing the highest-ever audiences for a BBC Three programme and the highest-ever ratings for a non-sport programme to air across all channels in digital history.

Created by award-winning writer Russell T Davies, with Chris Chibnall as co-producer and lead writer, the high-octane sci-fi thriller follows a team of modern day investigators as they use alien technology to solve crime, both alien and human.

Set in Cardiff, Torchwood delves into the unknown - battling against the impossible in the highly volatile underworld of savage aliens and monsters whilst trying to maintain their every day lives.

Roly Keating said: "Inventive, intelligent and unpredictable, Torchwood is a brilliant piece of 21st century fantasy drama. I'm delighted that its second series will be premiering on the channel."

Julian Bellamy, Controller of BBC Three, said: "Breaking all records on BBC Three is no mean feat and we've been proud to help build Torchwood into one of the most talked-about and eagerly-anticipated series of recent years."

Jane Tranter said: "Torchwood is a modern and innovative drama that has truly captured the imagination of its audience, and we are very excited that there will be more of the adrenaline-fuelled, action-packed adventures of our team of Torchwood heroes."

Russell T Davies said: "The whole team is bristling with ideas and we are delighted that Cardiff is going to be home to more monsters and mayhem."

Torchwood will be executive produced by Julie Gardner and Russell T Davies.

Filming is due to start in Cardiff in Spring 2007 and the series will hit screens later next year.

The remaining four episodes in the current series will continue to transmit on Sundays at 10pm on BBC Three and Wednesday nights at 9pm.

Torchwood, the smash-hit thriller drama created by Doctor Who writer Russell T Davies, is currently filming for a new series which will be shown on BBC Two early next year.

Captain Jack Harkness (John Barrowman), Gwen (Eve Myles), Owen (Burn Gorman), Tosh (Naoko Mori) and Ianto (Gareth David-Lloyd) return as the close-knit team of investigators solving alien and human crimes as they delve into the underworld of modern day Cardiff.

The high-octane storylines, filmed in and around Cardiff, include Torchwood's encounter with a rogue Time Agent; a tragic time-slip from World War One; and a memory-thief who uncovers long-forgotten secrets among the entire team.

Making a special guest appearance in the first episode is James Marsters who starred as Spike, the punk-goth vampire, in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel.

Commenting on his role in Torchwood, James says: "I am a huge fan of Doctor Who and Torchwood so it was me who knocked on their door.

"I am really excited about the character I am playing. I can't say too much about him, except he is naughty and a bit of a psychopath."

Later on in the run Alan Dale makes a star appearance. Alan is currently appearing in Ugly Betty as Bradford Meade and he is well known for his roles in The O.C., Lost, The West Wing and as Jim Robinson in the Australian hit soap Neighbours.

He said: "I am thrilled to be working on Torchwood and delighted to be in England again. I am a huge fan of British television drama."

Another familiar face among the surprise guest stars is Doctor Who's gorgeous companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) who brings her time-travelling expertise and medical skills to the team halfway through the series.

She says: "I'm really looking forward to working with the Torchwood team and can't wait to start filming.

"It's a huge new challenge and a wonderful opportunity to develop and expand the character of Martha Jones."

Russell T Davies said: "Filming is well underway in Cardiff, and we're aiming to make the show bigger and bolder than ever, as we move to our new home on BBC Two.

"It's too early to start giving things away, but we've got some amazing guest stars, fearsome new aliens, and compelling new storylines that will push the Torchwood team further than ever before."

Created by Davies, with Chris Chibnall as co-producer and lead writer, the first series, which aired on BBC Three last year, achieved the channel's highest ever ratings – with an audience of 2.5 million for the first episode.

Torchwood is executive produced by Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner, Head of Drama in BBC Wales. The producer is Richard Stokes.

"We know from the success and popularity of Heroes that there's a growing appetite for smart, high-quality, sci-fi drama on the channel so Torchwood is a perfect fit.

"I'm also pleased to announce that, due to popular demand from families and younger viewers, we will be showing a special pre-watershed repeat so everyone can enjoy the new series."

Making a special guest appearance in the first episode is James Marsters as Captain John. He starred as Spike, the punk-goth vampire in Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel.

Captain John and Captain Jack go way back and have "history".

When he appears through the Rift under Cardiff looking for Captain Jack not only does he disrupt Captain Jack's homecoming but the whole team, city and world are suddenly placed in danger.

The new series promises an exhilarating mixture of adventure, heartbreak, humour and surprise and pushes the team's resolve and friendships as never before.

Firmly rooted in urban life of 21st century Cardiff, Torchwood's investigations into alien activity give the team glimpses of the 51st Century and the First World War.

They encounter alien sleeper cells; save a stranded creature from human exploitation; meet a tragic soldier from the First World War; and encounter a memory thief who exposes long-forgotten secrets among the entire team.

During the run Alan Dale (Ugly Betty, The O.C, Lost and The West Wing) makes a star appearance.

Another familiar face among the special guest stars is Doctor Who's companion Martha Jones (Freema Agyeman) who appears half way through the series.

Richard Briers, Nerys Hughes and Ruth Jones (Gavin And Stacey) also appear in various roles.

Russell T Davies says: "This series pushes the Torchwood team further than ever before. They are joined by some incredible guest stars who are really going to cause waves. It's adventurous, thrilling and packed full of surprises."

Torchwood, which was shot in HD and will also be shown on the BBC HD channel, is filmed in and around Cardiff by BBC Wales.

BBC Wales Controller Menna Richards says: "The first series of Torchwood was a huge hit with audiences. We're extremely proud that it's produced in Wales.

"And its success is a reflection of the huge wealth of talent and creativity that exists here.

"We're delighted that it's returning to our screens for another series full of action, humour and excitement."

Created by Davies, with Chris Chibnall as co-producer and lead writer, the first series which aired on BBC Three last year achieved the channel's highest ratings in 2006, with an audience of 2.5 million for the first episode, and peaking at 2.8 million.

There will be a new exciting online reality game and exclusive behind the scenes footage on bbc.co.uk/torchwood.

Torchwood is executive produced by Russell T Davies and Julie Gardner, Head of Drama, BBC Wales. The producer is Richard Stokes.

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